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Sector cautiously welcomes Labour's plans for school-based nurseries

The sector has cautiously welcomed Labour's plans to convert classrooms into school-based nurseries, urging the party to consult with PVI providers so the sustainabilty of existing settings isn't threatened.
The sector has urged Labour to work with existing providers with its plans to convert classrooms into nurseries, PHOTO: Adobe Stock
The sector has urged Labour to work with existing providers with its plans to convert classrooms into nurseries, PHOTO: Adobe Stock

Yesterday, the Labour party revealed more details of its plans to convert 3,334 spare classrooms into school-based nurseries, providing an additional 100,000 childcare places - a 6 per cent increase over current places, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS).

Labour reveals plans to convert 3,334 classrooms into school-based nurseries

England is set to have around 400,000 fewer primary school pupils by 2029.

The IFS says the increase in places would cover the expected rise in demand for places under the expanded offer.

However it warned that the ‘biggest test’ would be whether these settings could recruit and retain staff to deliver high-quality care.

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